Look at this thing! I was working on something entirely different, when I saw an ad for the CatGenie. Just for fun I clicked on the ad, then checked out the thrilling video demo. Immediately, I dropped the project I was working on to write the very post you’re reading now. Seriously — does anyone have this? Does it actually work, or is it just a big scam?
If you didn’t watch the video… the litter consists of reusable, washable ”granules” which allow urine to fall through the bottom and into some sort of “reservoir.” Solid waste is removed by some freaky robotic scoop and dumped into “the hopper,” where it’s mixed with the urine and ”SaniSolution,” until the entire thing is liquified, and subsequently piped into your toilet.
Now, I don’t want to imagine what cat urine + cat feces + “SaniSolution” looks like in the toilet, but the idea of not having the scoop a litter box is pretty appealing. I’m just not so sure our cats would be pleased with this thing.
At your command — or automatically after each “deposit” if you wish, the device goes through some massive self-cleaning ritual, which cleans the granules (again, with the “SaniSolution”) and then a HOT AIR BLOWER dries them off so they’ll be ready for the next customer. If that hot air blower sounds anything like a vaccuum cleaner, my cats will never go near this thing!
Actually, even if you DO have one, don’t waste your time telling me how great it is. I just checked the pricing page. They want $297 for the base model, or for just $62 extra, I can get one extra piece of plastic which serves as a roof — making the cat box look more like the giant egg that served as Robin Williams’ spaceship on the hit 80s sitcom Mork and Mindy. Take a look…
Oh, and let’s not forget the almighty and powerful SaniSolution, the key to the entire operation. Each cartridge is expected to last one month for a two-cat household. The initial purchase comes with two, but after that, refills are $39.99 for a 3-pack (plus shipping). It might comparable to buying litter, but I’d be interested to know what the SaniSolution really is. Probably mostly water, with a small percentage of some common household cleaner that’s $2.98 a bottle at the supermarket.
Considering my car needs new brakes, gas and food prices are spiraling out of control and I’m hoping to be able to afford an HDTV by 2012… I think I’ll forego the $300+ investment and keep cleaning up after my cats the old-fashioned way.
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